Viking Eir

Sailing the Rhine on Viking Eir

The Rhine is one of Europe’s great cruise rivers, and Viking Eir works the full length of it between the Dutch port of Amsterdam and Basel in Switzerland. Every sailing is a one-way, 7-night journey — the river only flows one way, so the two directions give you genuinely different itineraries rather than the same route reversed. Because both Amsterdam and Basel require a flight from Australia, the cruise is naturally the centrepiece of a longer European trip; Cruise1st puts the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers on the same booking, so there is nothing to piece together independently.

Amsterdam to Basel — departures in March and December 2027 — heads south through the heart of the Rhine valley. Most sailings on this route call at Dordrecht, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Mannheim, Speyer, Strasbourg and Breisach before arriving in Switzerland. Prices start from A$5,095pp*.

Basel to Amsterdam — departures in November and December 2026 — heads north, with most sailings calling at Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cologne and Kinderdijk on the way to the Dutch capital. Prices start from A$4,795pp*. See all sailings from Amsterdam if you are planning time in the city either side of the cruise.

The calls-at ports listed above are those most of these sailings visit — individual itineraries vary, so check the sailing detail for the exact sequence.

On board Viking Eir

Viking Eir is built along the lines that Viking River Cruises has refined across its Rhine fleet: 135 metres long, 95 cabins across eight grades, and a crew of 53 looking after up to 190 guests. The ratio keeps the ship unhurried and the service attentive without feeling formal.

The public spaces are designed around the river. The Aquavit Terrace® extends the dining room outdoors so breakfast and lunch happen with Europe’s landscapes as backdrop — at no extra charge. Above it, the open Sun Deck gives 360-degree views and houses a Walking Track for anyone who wants to stay active between ports, though access closes briefly during canal passages and under low bridges. The Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along the waterline and serves as the social hub of the ship; drinks at the bar carry an individual charge unless a beverage package is part of your booking. A quiet Library with a curated book collection offers a retreat when the landscapes call for reading rather than watching. And the Herb Garden — a genuinely distinctive feature — grows fresh herbs on board that the culinary team uses daily in regional dishes.

Cabins on Viking Eir

The 95 cabins span eight grades across three families — outside staterooms, balcony staterooms and suites — and the full breakdown, with deck plans, lives on the Viking Eir cabins and deck plans page. In outline: the two outside grades have river-view windows that bring natural light and scenery into the room; the two balcony grades step that up with direct outdoor access; and the four suite grades all include a French balcony with opening glass doors, with some offering a private outdoor veranda as well — a good choice if morning coffee over the river is part of what you are coming for.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Every Viking Eir sailing is sold on the Viking River Fare, which bundles a meaningful amount into the headline price. Included are a complimentary shore excursion at every port, full onboard dining with regional specialities, and beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner — plus coffees, teas and bottled water throughout the day. Wi-Fi and visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites are also covered. It is a genuinely inclusive starting point: the main things you would add to it are pre- or post-cruise arrangements, which Cruise1st can package alongside the cruise itself.

Viking River Cruises’ Rhine fleet

Viking Eir is one of fourteen Viking River Cruises ships currently sailing the Rhine. The others on this waterway are Viking Gefjon, Viking Rota, Viking Gersemi, Viking Hervor, Viking Annar, Viking Honir, Viking Dagur, Viking Haki, Viking Sigrun, Viking Sigyn, Viking Herja, Viking Egdir, Viking Hild and Viking Hlin.

Viking also operates ships on other European rivers and beyond. On the Danube you will find Viking Vali and seven further ships. Viking Mississippi sails US river routes, while the ocean fleet includes ships such as Viking Orion and Viking Neptune. The full picture is on the Viking Cruises page.

Booking Viking Eir with Cruise1st

Both Amsterdam and Basel require a flight from Australia, so this cruise works best as the centrepiece of a European trip. Cruise1st puts flights, hotels either side and transfers together with the cruise on a single booking — that is what a Cruise1st Package is — so you have one itinerary, one contact and one booking reference for the whole holiday. Australian cruise experts are on the phone seven days a week to help you pick the right cabin grade, the right direction and the right dates. And every booking is backed by the Cruise1st Best Price Guarantee.

Questions about cruising the Rhine on Viking Eir

Which direction should I sail — Amsterdam to Basel or Basel to Amsterdam?

Both cover the same Rhine cities but in opposite order, so the choice comes down to timing and preference. The Basel-to-Amsterdam sailings currently on sale depart in November and December 2026, while the Amsterdam-to-Basel sailings depart in March and December 2027. If you want to end in Switzerland for onward travel into the Alps or Italy, the southbound sailing suits; if Amsterdam is the natural conclusion — perhaps with a few days in the city — head north. The scenery is equally good in both directions.

Is Wi-Fi included, and does it reach the cabins?

Yes — Wi-Fi is included in the Viking River Fare across the whole ship. River ships on the Rhine pass through stretches of open countryside where the signal varies, as it does on any river cruise, but the connection is covered by your fare rather than charged separately.

What happens to the Sun Deck when the ship goes under a bridge?

The Rhine passes under a number of low bridges, particularly through city centres. Viking Eir closes the Sun Deck and Walking Track during canal passages and low-bridge sections for safety — this is standard on Rhine river ships and applies to all vessels on this route. The crew announces these closures in advance, and they are usually brief.

Can Cruise1st arrange a hotel in Amsterdam or Basel around the cruise?

Yes. Because every Viking Eir sailing starts or ends in a city you will likely want to spend time in, Cruise1st routinely builds pre- and post-cruise hotel stays into the same booking as the cruise and flights. Tell the team how many nights you want either side and they will put it together as one holiday.

Are there excursions included, or do I pay for them separately?

The Viking River Fare includes one complimentary shore excursion at every port of call — typically a guided walk or UNESCO site visit — so there is a structured way ashore at each stop without an extra charge. Additional or alternative excursions may be available at cost; the included one is a good baseline for first-time visitors to cities like Cologne, Strasbourg and Rüdesheim.